Aero 8 'Americanised'

Morgan has heavily revamped the flagship Aero 8 sports car and tweaked the rest of its range. The Aero 8 has been revised in line with its introduction to the US market.

American crash regulations required the crash testing of 17 cars, but the Aero now boasts side impact beams, driver and passenger airbags and Bosch anti-lock brakes with EBD and six-piston AP racing front calipers.

The cabin is roomier thanks to an extra 102mm of width at the scuttle and 152mm at the shoulders, and a revised bootlid boosts luggage space. Standard equipment now includes electro-hydraulic power steering, central locking and auto-drop windows, plus new wheels and hood.

With BMW’s new Valvetronic 4.4 V8, power is up 47bhp to 333bhp and torque up 8lb ft to 330lb ft. Despite the extra kit, weight is down too – from 1180kg to 1155kg. Production is underway for June US deliveries, while European buyers have to wait until September; prices are up £2k to £58,500.

Further down the range, the Plus Four has been reintroduced after a three-year break. Chassis and body are shared with the Roadster, and power comes from a Euro4-compliant 145bhp Ford 2.0 Duratec engine in place of the old Rover unit.